5 Reasons to Hire An Attorney To Create Your Will
A will lets you decide who gets your assets and who manages your estate, but most Americans still do not have one. Hire an attorney to ensure you are properly protected.
A written will outlines your wishes for how your property and belongings should be handled when you’re gone, including who will oversee the process. Though many people put it off, creating one with professional guidance can help avoid confusion and ensure your intentions are honored.
Wills are documents that allow you to determine to whom your assets are distributed after your passing. A will also indicates who will be the executor of your estate (known as personal representatives in Missouri). According to Justia, over 70% percent of Americans do not have a will.
Creating a will isn’t just about “who gets what.” It’s about clarity, timing, and avoiding conflict. Working with a Missouri attorney means your wishes are expressed in a way the courts understand, and your loved ones won’t be left guessing.
Continue reading to find out five reasons why you should hire an attorney to create your will.
When you hire an attorney to create your will, that person is the expert on creating wills and makes sure no mistakes are made. You could use a template to create your will, but your circumstances may require more details. There are some aspects needed in wills to make them legal or easier to administer in Missouri. An attorney will ensure you have that.
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Even with a will, your heirs won’t be able to avoid probate after your death. An attorney can educate you on how to properly title your assets and name beneficiaries to avoid probate. Also, an attorney can ensure your will is drafted so that it will be harder to contest. An attorney can help you set up trusts in addition to preparing your will. You may want to consider an attorney with experience in all aspects of estate planning, since you may determine that a trust is needed.
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After you create your will, life may change, requiring updates to your will or the need for a trust. For example, you could have a child, get divorced, or get married. These are times when you want to review your will. An attorney can help ensure you have the proper wording and information in your will to account for your new circumstances or provide options for forming a revised estate plan.
You can create some documents along with your will that can provide protection to you before you pass. These documents include a healthcare power of attorney for medical and end-of-life decisions. This allows someone to make medical decisions for you if you are not able to. You can also create a financial power of attorney for financial and legal decisions.
An attorney who has experience creating estate plans, including wills, provides you with information on your options and the best way to create the documents you need. All situations and families are different, and you need documents specific to your needs. In addition, having an attorney can give your family a knowledgeable contact to assist them in understanding how to proceed after your death.
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Tailors clauses to Missouri law: From witness requirements to self-proving affidavits, the formalities matter for validity.
Coordinates beneficiary designations: Your will, trusts, and pay-on-death accounts should match your wishes.
Plans for incapacity: Durable powers of attorney and health care directives work alongside your will.
Reduces future friction: Clear fiduciary powers and no-contest language may minimize disputes and expense.
Builds in “if/then” planning: Contingent guardians, backups for executors, and alternate beneficiaries keep the plan working over time.
Relying on generic templates that miss Missouri-specific execution requirements.
Naming an executor who can’t (or shouldn’t) serve or not naming a backup.
Forgetting digital assets, small businesses, disinheritance language, or out-of-state property.
Conflicts between the will and beneficiary forms on bank/retirement accounts.
Not updating after marriage, divorce, a new child, or a move.
From our office in Springfield, we help clients throughout Missouri. We regularly assist families and business owners in Kansas City, St. Louis, Independence, Lee’s Summit, O’Fallon, St. Charles, St. Joseph, St. Peters, Blue Springs, and Joplin, as well as communities such as Chesterfield, Wentzville, Jefferson City, Cape Girardeau, Liberty, Nixa, Branson, Rogersville, Republic, Ozark, Bolivar, Sedalia, Rolla, Poplar Bluff, Lebanon, Fort Leonard Wood, Neosho, and West Plains.
Ready to put your wishes in writing the right way? Schedule a consultation and get a Missouri-compliant plan tailored to your goals, timeline, and family.
Consider consulting an attorney to create your will to ensure all of your assets are distributed per your wishes. Call us at (888) 887-4170 to schedule a consultation.
A will lets you decide who gets your assets and who manages your estate, but most Americans still do not have one. Hire an attorney to ensure you are properly protected.
